Victims of natural disasters should not be victims of political consequence, and we cannot allow the sequester to neglect those most in need.

the National Heritage areas will be funded at $9 million in the request, a 50 percent reduction.

the New York metropolitan area is amongst the highest cost-of-living areas in the United States, as well as around the world, and prices for housing, labor, equipment, and parts are higher than in most other areas.

I am a great fan of the canine teams. I think they really seem to be doing an extraordinary job.

Frankly, it is disheartening that the majority has rejected Democrats' calls to prevent sequestration by closing tax loopholes and reigning in the growth of future spending.

I am concerned about a lack of certainty in the Advisory Base Flood Elevation maps or ABFEs.

I commend you on your response to Superstorm Sandy, which took the lives of more than 100 Americans.

I am also concerned that the sequester could impede this disaster response.

It has been my pleasure to work with you over the past 3 years, particularly to provide workplace protections for Transportation Security Officers.

Our communities must begin rebuilding without delay.

I hope that we can all continue bipartisan work, as we have done in the past, and avoid these really drastic, drastic changes in our airport security system.

Threats to our country have not diminished, but the threat of sequestration would significantly reduce resources.